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Championship preview

Leaders Brighton will look to retain the top spot this weekend, while Peterborough remain pointless after seven straight defeats.

Last Updated: 28/09/12 12:11pm

Gus Poyet: Hoping Brighton can stay in the top spot this weekend

Leaders Brighton will look to retain the top spot this weekend, while Peterborough remain pointless after seven straight defeats.

Threatening to knock the Seagulls off their perch are surprise high-fliers Huddersfield, with Blackburn on their heels despite defeat last time out and continuing unrest off the pitch.

On Sunday, Nottingham Forest and Derby go head-to-head at the City Ground in the first East Midlands derby of the campaign, live on Sky Sports.

Early pacesetters Brighton will be targeting a sixth consecutive win when they host Birmingham in Saturday's late game, with the Blues keen to bounce back from a heavy defeat by Barnsley last time out.

In-form Huddersfield have carried the momentum from last season's promotion win into their Championship campaign and sit a surprise second in the early table, with three successes on the bounce leaving them in a solid position as they entertain Watford, who are without a win in four.

Sunday's derby in front of the Sky cameras will see both Nottingham Forest and Derby battle to recover from defeats last time out.

Speculation still plagues the future of Blackburn boss Steve Kean as fans continue to make their frustrations known but he remains at the helm ahead of Saturday's trip to Charlton, who beat Ipswich to end a run of three straight defeats last weekend.

Beleaguered Peterborough do not have a single point to their name after suffering seven straight defeats and will be desperate to open their account at Hull, who sit in the play-off places.

Blackpool were beaten by Huddersfield last time out but remain fourth in the table and will look to get back on track against Cardiff when they travel to Wales.

Leicester will be eyeing their third win on the bounce when they make the trip to Middlesbrough, who are level on points with the Foxes and just a place below them in the table on goal difference.

Struggling

Sheffield Wednesday are struggling to get a grip on the campaign after suffering four straight defeats, while they also crashed out of the Capital One Cup in midweek, and Wolves could pile on more woe after winning their last three.

Leeds will be feeling buoyed by the their cup upset of Everton at Elland Road on Wednesday as they target another win against Bristol City.

A four-match unbeaten run has lifted Crystal Palace after a slow start and the Eagles will be in no hurry to relinquish that record when they visit Bolton.

Barnsley thrashed Birmingham 5-0 last weekend and will hope to build on that rout when they entertain Ipswich, sitting second-bottom and without a win in five.

Millwall currently occupy the remaining relegation spot after three straight defeats and will be keen to climb out of the drop zone with a good result against Burnley at Turf Moor.